Audio By Carbonatix
Fiji is threatening to boycott this year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games after being told its high-profile rugby sevens side cannot take part, the Pacific island nation's sports chief warned today.
It comes just 10 days after Fiji was readmitted to the Games fold, ending years of isolation following a 2006 military coup.
But the return was approved after the draw for Glasgow was completed, with the qualification rules making no provision for late entries. The Fiji netball team has been shut out for the same reason.
Fiji are one of the biggest drawcards in world rugby sevens, winning Commonwealth silver in 1998 and 2002 and claiming bronze in Melbourne in 2006, the last time they competed in the event.
"Our sevens rugby team has proven to the world by winning the World Cup twice that we can win medals at the Commonwealth Games," Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (Fasanoc) president Reg Sanday told AFP.
"Imagine Brazil going to the Olympics without its football team or Jamaica running at the Games without world champion Usain Bolt?
"Fasanoc will have a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss a the boycott. We are upset by the decision by the Games committee to exclude our rugby sevens and netball teams."
In a letter to Fasanoc, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Michael Hooper said the Fiji rugby and netball teams could not be accepted because of "operational difficulties" in redoing the draws.
The Commonwealth Games run from July 23 to August 3. – AFP, March 25, 2014.
Latest Stories
-
Oil, war and the limits of monetary policy
6 minutes -
GFA calls for justice after death of Berekum Chelsea forward Frimpong
12 minutes -
Finance Minister leads Ghana’s delegation to 2026 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings
12 minutes -
Today’s front pages: Monday, April 13, 2026
13 minutes -
Eugene Zuta Ministries ties new album project ‘Songs of the Redeemed’ to education support for 50 children
15 minutes -
African banks could be affected in prolonged Iran war; central banks may tighten policy rate – Fitch
17 minutes -
Ghana to honour astronaut Christina Koch with University of Ghana ties after Artemis II mission
24 minutes -
The Pulse of accountability: Navigating medical negligence in Ghana, as an emerging challenge in healthcare.
29 minutes -
Borders by Design: How the world controls who moves and who stays
35 minutes -
A LinkedIn message, a Dublin defender, and a nation’s first World Cup qualification
48 minutes -
UNFPA Ghana recognised with Head of State award
55 minutes -
Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong dies after armed robbery attack on team bus
1 hour -
Armed robbers attack Berekum Chelsea team bus, forward Frimpong killed
2 hours -
FIFA refuses Iran request to move games to Mexico amid US conflict
2 hours -
Man City cut Arsenal’s lead at top of Premier League to six points after beating Chelsea
2 hours